Chapter 36: Ambush on the Road

In the end, Si Qingyu decided to have breakfast with him anyway, since she was also going to rent a horse carriage, so she might as well go together.

The two sat facing each other in the private room. Jiang Yiheng got up to pour Si Qingyu a cup of tea, and Si Qingyu tapped the table in thanks. As Jiang Yiheng thanked her for the tea, he softly asked, “Has Physician Si been well recently?”

“Very well,” Si Qingyu nodded.

“I heard earlier that Physician Si had moved the medical clinic to a town outside the capital, but I never had the chance to visit. Now having the opportunity to gather again truly makes Yiheng delighted.”

“Mm.”

Her slightly distracted manner caused Jiang Yiheng’s smile to fade a little. He picked up his tea cup and took a light sip. “It seems Physician Si’s heart is not here and has no interest in reminiscing with Yiheng.”

Si Qingyu looked at him, slightly startled. “That’s not the case, it’s just…” She thought for a moment, it should be because she was anxious to return quickly. “Just wanting to get back to the medical clinic soon.” She herself wasn’t quite sure what she was thinking, her thoughts were a bit chaotic.

Jiang Yiheng looked at her fixedly for a while. She seemed to have never changed, yet also seemed different, as if she had become a bit more humane compared to before. He nodded to her, “Yiheng understands and won’t keep Physician Si long. However, Yiheng has one thing to ask.”

“Please speak, Prince Jiang.” She finally adjusted her thoughts and looked at him calmly.

He looked at her, his gaze still gentle. “Did Physician Si come to the capital for Young Master Luo’s matter?”

“Yes…” Her eyes flickered. “With such a major incident, as a good friend, naturally have to come see him. Besides, he’s also injured.”

Jiang Yiheng smiled faintly. “The bond between Physician Si and Young Master Luo truly makes Yiheng envious.” Suddenly he pressed his lips flat and frowned at Si Qingyu across from him. “However… Yiheng feels there are some oddities with Young Master Luo in this matter.”

Oddities? Si Qingyu looked at him puzzled, not understanding his meaning.

“The Luo family was suddenly massacred, and the culprit was Miss Mu who was about to marry Young Master Luo. Doesn’t Physician Si find many strange points in this?”

Si Qingyu frowned at him. “What does Prince Jiang mean by this?”

However, she saw him shake his head and sigh. “Yiheng doesn’t dare affirm the problems within, just feels that Young Master Luo is indeed a bit suspicious. Furthermore…” He looked at Si Qingyu as he spoke. “Furthermore, Yiheng has always known that Young Master Luo is infatuated with Physician Si. Yiheng just wants to mention to Physician Si… Young Master Luo is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface.”

Recalling what Luo Shaoxuan said to him at the Plum Pavilion made him even more suspicious of Luo Shaoxuan.

Although there weren’t any excessive words, Si Qingyu still felt a bit displeased. She disliked others speaking of him this way. Her tone was cold. “Thank you for Prince Jiang’s kind intentions, but this is Si’s personal matter, no need to trouble Prince Jiang.”

Her obvious protectiveness of Luo Shaoxuan caused Jiang Yiheng’s eyes to darken. He said softly, “Yiheng doesn’t intend to drive a wedge between Physician Si and Young Master Luo, just wanted to give Physician Si a reminder.”

“Thank you. Does Prince Jiang have any other matters? If not, Si will take my leave.” The intention of not wanting to linger was clear.

Jiang Yiheng lowered his eyes, pursed his lips lightly, and shook his head slightly.

“I take my leave.” She saluted him with clasped hands and left the private room without any reluctance, leaving him sitting there alone, his thin back looking a bit lonely.

The palace attendant standing beside Jiang Yiheng looked at him with some concern. “Fifth Prince…”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Yiheng looked at the tea leaves floating on the surface of the cup and finally brought it to his lips, draining it in one gulp.

……

After Si Qingyu left the restaurant, she rented a horse carriage. Just as she was about to depart after agreeing on the destination and payment with the driver, before she could board, she saw a luxurious carriage stop in front of her.

As she was puzzled, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Luo Shaoxuan sitting inside. He looked at her indifferently. “Get in.”

Si Qingyu was very bewildered to see him here. Wasn’t he giving her the cold shoulder this morning? How could he appear here so quickly…

“Shaoxuan, you…” Are you alright?

He still seemed angry. “I told you to get in the carriage, so just get in.” As he spoke, he didn’t look at her. He was upset at himself for being so helpless before her. Even if she didn’t care for him at all, he still couldn’t help but cling to her and try to please her.

Si Qingyu was truly at a loss for words, unable to understand what he was thinking. “But I need to return to the town, are you… also coming along?”

“Mm.” He responded in a muffled voice.

“But… what about the Luo Manor?” He just left like this, are the matters of the Luo family taken care of?

“You don’t need to concern yourself with this, I’ve already handled it.” He spoke as if impatient. “Hurry and get in.”

But Si Qingyu felt something was amiss, yet couldn’t say what exactly.

At this time, Jiang Yiheng walked out from the restaurant. He looked between the two of them and smiled at Luo Shaoxuan in the carriage. “Young Master Luo, where are you headed so early?”

Luo Shaoxuan looked at him, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, a trace of gloom flashing in his gaze. They were together just now?

Just the thought of this possibility made him unable to suppress the resentment in his heart, making him want to kill someone. He rubbed his fingers in his palm and looked at Jiang Yiheng coldly, not answering his question. “Didn’t expect to run into Fifth Prince here so early.”

He then looked at Si Qingyu. “Ziliang, get in quickly.”

Si Qingyu saluted Jiang Yiheng, no longer hesitating as she boarded the carriage.

Luo Shaoxuan gave Jiang Yiheng a provocative smile. “If Fifth Prince has no other matters, we’ll take our leave.”

Jiang Yiheng lightly nodded, still smiling gently without a word. The palace attendant beside him grumbled as the carriage got further away, “That Luo Shaoxuan is truly audacious and regards no one. He actually dares to be so rude to you!”

Standing in front, Jiang Yiheng didn’t speak. His usual smile was absent, his eyes slightly cold as he watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance.

……

The carriage was very spacious, with ample room left even with two people sitting. The cushions were all lined with top-quality silk, making it very comfortable.

However, since Si Qingyu got in, Luo Shaoxuan hadn’t said a word. He deliberately sat in the spot furthest from her, leaning against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, pretending to doze.

Si Qingyu’s gaze gradually shifted to the gauze on his hand. She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you apply medicine to your hand today?”